Weekly Update #176, in which the weather is stormy...


Welcome to my Weekly Update where I post my blog's schedule for the week! I'm linking up to The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer, as well as to Tynga's Reviews for Stacking the Shelves and Talk Supe for Bought, Borrowed, and Bagged showcasing the books I added to my shelves or Kindle this week.

We've been doing lots of work around the house lately. This past week my husband and I were up early every morning working outside and in to clean and de-clutter. I have several "projects," such as cleaning out the game closet, the spare room, my bookshelves, and the garage. My husband cleaned up our garden area and we'll be getting that ready to plant. It feels so good to be so industrious, although it's made me so tired that I haven't been able to read a whole lot. I'm hoping this week I'll get more of that done. 

My younger kids start school next week and this week we'll be getting them ready and doing some fun things before we can't. We also got hit with monsoon storms on Friday (we love them at our house even though they're crazy - at least as long as there's no damage). There was a good amount of hail and wind and dust and pouring rain along with lightning and thunder. My phone was going off like crazy with weather warnings, including a lightning strike five miles from our house. We're supposed to continue having similar weather all week, although it probably won't be quite as severe as it was Friday night.

This is another fairly low-key week for me. I have books I'd like to read and review, but just a few have actual deadlines. I'm still enjoying AND I DARKEN. It's so interesting and different and I'm so curious as to how it will end. Here's what to expect this week:

Mystery Box of Books - Monthly Giveaway for August


It's a new month, which means it's time for a new giveaway! I have more books that are crowding my shelves that I need to give away, so this is another US only giveaway for a box of mystery books.
Good luck!

Must live in the continental US due to shipping costs. Must be at least 13 years old to enter and have parental permission if under 18. Please ensure that you correctly enter your email (and check your junk mail folder if I'm not on your contact list) so that I have a way to contact you. You can read my giveaway policy on my policies page. Void where prohibited by law. Enter via the Rafflecopter below.

Need a book for the beach... Beach Reads in August Giveaway Hop (Giveaway)



Welcome to my giveaway for the Beach Reads in August Giveaway Hop, hosted by StuckInBooks!

Not everyone likes reading the same genre at the beach. I tend to go for light romance with some fun humor. Right now if I was at the beach this is what you'd see in my bag:
P.S. I Like You   Burnin' For You: inspirational romantic suspense (Montana Fire Book 3) by [Warren, Susan May]

Maybe you'd like to add one of these to your beach bag or pick something else. Either way, enter below for a winner's choice of book (up to $15 USD).

Good luck!

Must be eligible for free shipping through the Book Depository or Amazon. Must be at least 13 years old to enter and have parental permission if under 18. Please ensure that you correctly enter your email (and check your junk mail folder if I'm not on your contact list) so that I have a way to contact you. You can read my giveaway policy on my policies page. Void where prohibited by law. Enter via the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Check out the Grand Finale for Sophie's Path by Catherine Lanigan (Blog Tour & Giveaway)

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for
Sophie's Path
By Catherine Lanigan

We hope you enjoyed coming along with us and Frenchie, as we got to know more about Sophie's and Jack's stories! If you missed any of the tour stops, go back and check them out now...

Launch - From Frenchie's Point of View



Bark! Sorry. Hi! My name is Frenchie. I’m a six and a half pound Yorkie Poo and I’m here to welcome you to “The Shores of Indian Lake” series by Catherine Lanigan. If you are returning to our small town, I’m glad to meet you, too. This is a new role for me, being a star, I mean. I’ve been a rescue dog, which wasn’t fun. I like to have a family. In fact, I have to have humans to love. Humans can be fun but they can also be pretty clueless about the essentials in life. Take Sophie Mattuchi and Jack Carter, for instance. I thought I’d never get these two together.

Katie's Clean Book Collection - Review

"I adored Frenchie, the dog, who really helped thread the story line together. The characters are multifaceted and have depth. I love the process they each developed in. This is a town that I would love to read more about.

I recommend this to readers who enjoy a clean romance with good characters and depth."


We're reading along... And I Darken by Kiersten White (Mid-Point & Giveaway)


The And I Darken Read-Along is hosted by Dena over at Batch of Books and I (Tressa at Wishful Endings). If you missed the author's fun facts, check that out here, and don't forget to enter to win a copy of the book below!

Social Media Tags

Hashtag: #AndIDarkenRA
Tag Dena on Instagram: @batchofbooks
Tag Tressa on Instagram: @wishfulendings
Tag Dena on Twitter: @denabooks
Tag Tressa on Twitter: @tressherm

You can check out Dena's kick-off post here and her thoughts at this mid-point here.

Now on to my thoughts half-way through the book...

One mistake... Defending Taylor by Miranda Kenneally (Review)

Defending TaylorDefending Taylor
(Hundred Oaks #7)
by Miranda Kenneally
YA Contemporary
Paperback & ebook, 304 Pages
July 5th 2016 by Sourcebooks Fire

Summary

Captain of the soccer team, president of the Debate Club, contender for valedictorian: Taylor’s always pushed herself to be perfect. After all, that’s what is expected of a senator’s daughter. But one impulsive decision—one lie to cover for her boyfriend—and Taylor’s kicked out of private school. Everything she’s worked so hard for is gone, and now she’s starting over at Hundred Oaks High.

Soccer has always been Taylor’s escape from the pressures of school and family, but it’s hard to fit in and play on a team that used to be her rival. The only person who seems to understand all that she’s going through is her older brother’s best friend, Ezra. Taylor’s had a crush on him for as long as she can remember. But it’s hard to trust after having been betrayed. Will Taylor repeat her past mistakes or can she score a fresh start?

   
   
(Affiliate links included.)

I'm waiting on... Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas (Waiting on Wednesday)


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I still need to play some catch-up with this series (I wouldn't mind them being just a little shorter), regardless I'm really excited for this one. The whole series has fabulous covers, the plot is ever growing, and I love how strong the heroine is. It's my WOW pick this week:

The Class 5 world... Dark Minds by Michelle Diener (Book Blitz & Giveaway)

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Welcome to day three of the Release Celebration for
Dark Minds
By Michelle Diener

Dark Minds is book three in the Class 5 Series. Michelle is sharing about the Class 5 world today. If you missed Michelle's release-day message, go read it HERE, if you missed about the rise of the genre, go check that out HERE, and don't forget to check out the entire series and enter the giveaway below...


Dark Minds
(Class 5 #3)
by Michelle Diener
Adult Sci-Fi
ebook, 331 Pages
July 22nd 2016

The mind is the most powerful weapon of all . . . 

Imogen Peters knows she's a pawn. She's been abducted from Earth, held prisoner, and abducted again. So when she gets a chance at freedom, she takes it with both hands, not realizing that doing so will turn her from pawn to kingmaker.

Captain Camlar Kalor expected to meet an Earth woman on his current mission, he just thought he'd be meeting her on Larga Ways, under the protection of his Battle Center colleague. Instead, he and Imogen are thrown together as prisoners in the hold of a Class 5 battleship. When he works out she's not the woman who sparked his mission, but another abductee, Cam realizes his investigation just got a lot more complicated, and the nations of the United Council just took a step closer to war.

Imogen's out of her depth in this crazy mind game playing out all around her, and she begins to understand her actions will have a massive impact on all the players. But she's good at mind games. She's been playing them since she was abducted. Guess they should have left her minding her own business back on Earth…

GoodreadsAmazon

A heroine who may lose heart to gain it... A Beauty Refined by Tracie Peterson (Blog Tour Review & Giveaway)


I've read quite a few books from this author, but this is the first in
this series I've read. Check out my review and the giveaway below...

A Beauty Refined (Sapphire Brides, #2)A Beauty Refined
(Sapphire Brides #2)
by Tracie Peterson
Christian Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 320 Pages
July 5th 2016 by Bethany House Publishers

Summary

What does it take to reveal the true beauty of a hidden gem?

Phoebe Von Bergen, the daughter of a German count, is excited to visit America for the first time while her father purchases sapphires in Helena, Montana. Little does she know, however, that her father's intentions---both for her and the gemstones---are not what she thinks.

Ian Harper, a lapidary working in Helena, finds the dignified young woman staying at the Broadwater Hotel more than a little intriguing. Yet the more he gets to know her, the more he realizes that her family story is based on a lie---a lie she has no knowledge of. And Ian believes he knows the only path that will lead her to freedom.

Meeting Ian has changed everything for Phoebe, and she begins to consider staying in America, regardless of her father's plans. But she may not be prepared for the unexpected danger that results when her family's deception begins to unravel.

   
(Affiliate links included.)

Weekly Update #175, in which we're getting ready for school...


Welcome to my Weekly Update where I post my blog's schedule for the week! I'm linking up to The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer, as well as to Tynga's Reviews for Stacking the Shelves and Talk Supe for Bought, Borrowed, and Bagged showcasing the books I added to my shelves or Kindle this week.

My oldest started school today. It's been a rather busy week and weekend (thus the late Weekly Update). The other three start in a few weeks, but they're pretty much ready since we got all the school supplies at once. 

This week is fairly low-key for me. I have books I'd like to review, but very few with set-in-stone deadlines, which is nice. I'm also really enjoying reading AND I DARKEN so far. It's rather dark and interesting and I can feel the tension gathering and the plot growing. Here's what to expect this week (some of which have already posted):

This and That... Sophie's Path by Catherine Lanigan (Blog Tour Guest Post & Giveaway)


On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

I'm welcoming Catherine Lanigan to my blog today to find out a little more about her, so check that out as well as her newest Shores of Indian Lake Series book, and enter the giveaway below...

Sophie's PathSophie's Path
(Shores of Indian Lake #6)
Catherine Lanigan
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
July 1st 2016 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Summary

Her choice. His consequences.

Nurse Sophie Mattuchi has seen a lot of angry patients in the ER, but no one's ever rattled her like Jack Carter. He has no right to blame her for his friend's death. Sophie did everything she could. Didn't she? Yet his accusations sting, and that sets off all kinds of internal alarms. She's never cared this much about any man's opinion of her. But Jack is different. He stirs up feelings. Strong feelings. Guilt. Anger. Attraction. Curiosity. Sympathy. Sophie's definitely not interested in Jack, but even if she was, he'd never forgive her for the decision she made that night in the hospital. Would he?

   
(Affiliate link included.)

The rise of the scifi/space opera genre... Dark Minds by Michelle Diener (Book Blitz & Giveaway)

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Welcome to day two of the Release Celebration for
Dark Minds
By Michelle Diener

Dark Minds is book three in the Class 5 Series. Today Michelle is sharing about the rise of the genre. If you missed Michelle's release-day message, go read it HERE, and come back on Tuesday, July 26th, HERE to read about the Class 5 world. So check those and the fabulous Amazon/book giveaway all out below!


Dark Minds
(Class 5 #3)
by Michelle Diener
Adult Sci-Fi
ebook, 331 Pages
July 22nd 2016

The mind is the most powerful weapon of all . . . 

Imogen Peters knows she's a pawn. She's been abducted from Earth, held prisoner, and abducted again. So when she gets a chance at freedom, she takes it with both hands, not realizing that doing so will turn her from pawn to kingmaker.

Captain Camlar Kalor expected to meet an Earth woman on his current mission, he just thought he'd be meeting her on Larga Ways, under the protection of his Battle Center colleague. Instead, he and Imogen are thrown together as prisoners in the hold of a Class 5 battleship. When he works out she's not the woman who sparked his mission, but another abductee, Cam realizes his investigation just got a lot more complicated, and the nations of the United Council just took a step closer to war.

Imogen's out of her depth in this crazy mind game playing out all around her, and she begins to understand her actions will have a massive impact on all the players. But she's good at mind games. She's been playing them since she was abducted. Guess they should have left her minding her own business back on Earth…

GoodreadsAmazon

We're kicking off the Read-Along for And I Darken by Kiersten White! #AndIDarkenRA @denabooks


The "And I Darken Read-Along" has officially launched! Dena over at Batch of Books and I (Tressa at Wishful Endings) are excited to be reading this one and hope you'll join us! 

You can follow along either by just checking out our posts or reading along with us (grab an ARC, a copy from the library, or purchase one). We'll be using the #AndIDarkenRA hashtag and please tag Dena (@denabooks on Twitter and @batchofbooks on Instagram) and I (@tressherm on Twitter, @wishfulendings on Instagram) as well. Let us know if you're going to read with us by leaving a comment below with a link to wherever you'll be leaving your thoughts.

You can check out Dena's kick-off post here.

Now for the exciting part of today (besides starting this highly recommended read, of course ðŸ˜‰), Kiersten is sharing some fun facts about the book!! Definitely check that out and enter the giveaway below...

Happy release day to Dark Minds by Michelle Diener (Book Blitz & Giveaway)

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Welcome to the Release Celebration for
Dark Minds
By Michelle Diener

Dark Minds is book three in the Class 5 Series. Michelle has a message below and you can come back on Sunday, July 24th, HERE to learn more about the rise of the genre and on Tuesday, July 26th, HERE to read about the Class 5 world. Enter the fabulous Amazon/book giveaway as well. Enjoy!

Dark Minds
(Class 5 #3)
by Michelle Diener
Adult Sci-Fi
ebook, 331 Pages
July 22nd 2016

The mind is the most powerful weapon of all . . . 

Imogen Peters knows she's a pawn. She's been abducted from Earth, held prisoner, and abducted again. So when she gets a chance at freedom, she takes it with both hands, not realizing that doing so will turn her from pawn to kingmaker.

Captain Camlar Kalor expected to meet an Earth woman on his current mission, he just thought he'd be meeting her on Larga Ways, under the protection of his Battle Center colleague. Instead, he and Imogen are thrown together as prisoners in the hold of a Class 5 battleship. When he works out she's not the woman who sparked his mission, but another abductee, Cam realizes his investigation just got a lot more complicated, and the nations of the United Council just took a step closer to war.

Imogen's out of her depth in this crazy mind game playing out all around her, and she begins to understand her actions will have a massive impact on all the players. But she's good at mind games. She's been playing them since she was abducted. Guess they should have left her minding her own business back on Earth…

GoodreadsAmazon

Characters who literally run into each other... Smash & Grab by Amy Christine Parker (Blog Tour Review & Giveaway)


I've been looking forward to reading this one for a while and am excited to
be part of the tour! Check out my full review and enter the giveaway below...

Smash & GrabSmash & Grab
YA Contemporary, Suspense
Hardcover & ebook, 384 Pages
July 19th 2016 by Publisher

Summary

Ocean’s Eleven meets the star-crossed lovers of West Side Story. Grab some popcorn and get ready for an adrenaline-filled heist!

LEXI is a rich girl who loves a good rush. Whether it’s motorcycle racing or BASE jumping off a building in downtown Los Angeles, the only times she feels alive are when she and her friends are executing one of their dares. After her father’s arrest, Lexi doesn’t think twice about going undercover at his bank to steal the evidence that might clear his name. She enlists her hacker brother and her daredevil friends to plan a clever heist.

CHRISTIAN is a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. The local gang has blackmailed him and his friends into robbing banks, and he is desperate for a way out. When the boss promises that one really big job will be the last he ever has to do, Christian jumps at the chance for freedom. In fact, he’s just met a girl at the bank who might even prove useful. . . .

Two heists. One score. The only thing standing in their way is each other.

Told in alternating points of view, this caper is full of romance and fast-paced fun. Hand to fans of Perfect Chemistry, The Conspiracy of Us, and Heist Society.

  
  
(Affiliate links included.)